Ramdom Thot

I think the French/Philippine mix is awesome! :P

Updates

-We found a really nice house that will suit our needs perfectly. Please pray that our sponsors will come through for us and that we will be able to move in as soon as possible. Right now our team doesn't fit in the house we have so we're renting a flat down the road. So as you can imagine we're all looking forward to having a place where we can all fit comfortably.

-We got a car! Hooray!!!

-I've been involved with a new project this past month. We're making audios of the 12 Foundations Stones study notes and extra reading material, compiling songs and slides shows that go with the classes, and putting it on CD and a website. Hopefully we will be able to make this available for all with maybe a small donation for our work putting it all together.
I also went to Stanza Bopape and helped give a STEPS and Teacher's workshop. It was Jan, Angela, Janet and myself. Teachers and caregivers from Stanza and other drop-in centers were there, and they all said how helpful the workshop was. They were so inspired by the end and were begging for more material and classes.

-I'm painting again! We went out to the art/crafts store in Hatfield and I was able to buy a few canvases. I checked out the price of just buying canvas material and making the support frames at home but it's more expensive that just buying the prepared canvases. Maybe I need to check out a few more art stores. So I'm painting in the evenings again...the only time I have really. But it's a lot of fun and I'll update my art blog once I have stuff to show

-Starting to play tennis...and football. I'm sure you never thought I was such a sporty person. Well, I'm not really I just like sports and getting good exercise. I've been playing football once or twice a week now. The others are all much better than me so I end up being the last one chosen on the team, doesn't bother me as I know I'm such a liability to any team on the field. :) But hopefully I'm learning and it's a lot of fun! I'm also learning to play tennis. We go a few times a week, and I can actually hit the ball and almost make a proper serve. It's not actually as easy as it looks! Phil is very helpful though and he's trying his best to teach me.

-The Lord has been so good to us and we've been overflowing with food since I've been here. Our freezer is full of meat and our fridges are full of fruits and vegetables. I was worried about loosing weight coming back to Africa but the Lord has seen to it that I "shall not lack any good thing".

When You Least Expect It

I love how life tends to surprise you. One moment you think you have everything figured out and you know where you're going and what you're doing, and the next moment nothing...
I love it when love comes around and catches you by surprise. You're not even looking for it, maybe you don't even want it--but then there it is.

Life has thrown a few curve balls at me recently, but then there are always the wonderful surprises waiting ahead that make everything worth it.
I have someone to love now...and it's such a glorious feeling to be loved in return. I think if we're patient love will come around, only it might just be when you least expect it.

Kiara's Birthday

This week I was invited to Kiara's birthday party. She turned 4 this Thursday, 18th--such a big girl now! As you might remember I was her teacher since she was 4 1/2 months. It's crazy to see how fast these little guys grow! I've seen Kiara and Brendan a few times now since being back in South Africa. Kiara remembers me very well and I'm still "her teacher Stephie!". Brendan didn't remember me the first time I saw him again but he has warmed up to me since. He has grown like crazy and no longer looks like my little baby. They're both so adorable and as much as I love to see them it hurts a little that they're no longer "mine". I miss teaching them and just being with them. But I know they're doing well in their new situation with new teachers and friends, so I will just content myself with seeing them as much as I can.
Kiara and her friends.

The Glaser family.
The most charming little man.
Brendan feeding me cake. He thought it was the most funny thing and had so much fun laughing as he fed me each bite.
Kiara got an art box as one of her presents. As soon as Brendan saw it he wanted it, so he promptly toy-napped it. Here he's trying to show off how strong he is and how he can carry the heavy box.
Kiara looking like a little princess in her new ballet outfit ( a birthday present from her friend).
I love this little one!

Words of Wisdom

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.
Vincent van Gogh

Shavathon

CANSA Shavathon was held on March 6. A few of us volunteered to help out at the event in Pick 'n Pay hypermarket(Faerie Glen). People gave donations to have their heads shaved, painted, or both, to show support and help the fight against cancer.

Myself

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know,
I want to be able, as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye;
I don’t want to stand, with the setting sun,
And hate myself for things I have done.
I don’t want to keep on a closet shelf
A lot of secrets about myself,
And fool myself, as I come and go,
Into thinking that nobody else will know
The kind of man I really am;
I don’t want to dress up myself in sham.
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men’s respect;
But here in the struggle for fame and pelf
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to look at myself and know
That I’m bluster and bluff and empty show.
I can never hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see;
I know what others may never know;
I never can fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience free.
Edgar Guest